Tour Overview
Bike tour in Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula, Mackinac Island, Cherry Coast
On our Michigan bike tour, we bike, hike, and kayak through the Leelanau Peninsula to Mackinac Island along the Michigan Cherry Coast and take in the breathtaking wonders of Northern Michigan. Explore the natural beauty of Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Lakeshore, voted Good Morning America’s “Most Beautiful Place in America (2018)”, and ride along the majestic shores of Lake Michigan. Discover the charm of car-free biking on picture-perfect Mackinac Island.
Where does this trip start, end, and go?
We start and end in Traverse City, Michigan, and travel through Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Lakeshore and along the Cherry Coast to Mackinac Island. Check out the day-by-day tab, or you can download a more detailed itinerary.
What is the level of difficulty of biking?
The trip is rated as easy to intermediate level, with specific days or sections of routes with gently rolling hills and some longer grades.
What are the accommodations on this trip?
We stay at some of Michigan’s best properties, including the iconic Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. View the Lodging tab for accommodation details.
What other activities than biking?
Hike through the Sleeping Bear dunes on the Cottonwood Trail or, even better, join our leaders on a steep hike up the dune. Enjoy a kayak paddle down the Crystal River with the local Crystal River Outfitters. Explore the town of Petoskey and enjoy a walk out on the South Pier to see the Lighthouse.
What are the duration, price, and dates for this tour?
The trip is for six days and five nights. See details under Dates & Prices.
What is included in the pricing?
All breakfasts, three lunches, and four dinners | One night at Mackinac Island Grand Hotel, two nights at Stafford’s Perry Hotel, one night at The Homestead | Complimentary use of Sojourn’s equipment and bikes, including e-bikes and much more. View the What’s Included tab for details.
What kind of bikes and gears, including e-bikes, do you offer?
Sojourn bike tours include full carbon frame road bikes or lightweight aluminum hybrid bikes with a carbon fork. Here’s our bike fleet and gear.
Do you have pictures of the tour?
View the Gallery Tab and enjoy photos from this trip.
What about customer reviews on this trip?
Please visit the Reviews tab for some interesting facts about the destination.
We have some other questions. How can we contact you?
The Tour FAQ tab has most of the answers to guests’ questions. We are also delighted to help you with your next vacation. Write to info@gosojourn.com. Call us at 800-730-4771 or 802-425-4771 or use our contact us form.

Lodging Information
Distinctive lodging, carefully selected to complement your tour.

The Homestead
The Homestead is a beachfront resort offering a wide range of unique lodging choices supported by luxurious facilities. It is located on the beach and is surrounded by the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. (3 Nights)

Stafford's Perry Hotel
For over 122 years, the Perry Hotel has proudly stood overlooking Little Traverse Bay; welcoming visitors to the crown jewel of Michigan’s “Gold Coast.” Guests get to enjoy the unique décor in each of the 75 guest rooms, and of course the breathtaking vistas that first gave inspiration to the expression “Million Dollar Sunset” for which Petoskey is now famous. (1 Night)

The Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island
Since 1887, Grand Hotel beckons guests to a time where old-world meets new charm. Discover the rich history and tastefully preserved architecture of this National Historic Landmark, while enjoying the hotel’s modern amenities and unsurpassed service. (1 Night)
Date and Pricing
- 2025
- Make it Private
What's Included
- Support of experienced tour leaders from start to finish
- Full van support for a variety of route options
- Custom Sojourn jersey and water bottles – both yours to keep
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- One night at Mackinac Island Grand Hotel, one night at Stafford’s Perry Hotel, three nights at The Homestead
- Complimentary use of Sojourn’s equipment and bikes [Our Bike Fleet]
- Tandem Custom Built Cannondales or Co-Motions options at an added cost of $300
- Baggage transfers and porterage
- Limited E-Bikes are available on a first-come, first-served basis
- All breakfasts, three lunches, and four dinners
- Daily route directions, maps, and a downloadable GPS
- 5% Past Traveler Discount to use on your next Sojourn Tour
FAQs
- Start & End: We start in Traverse City on Day 1 and drive you back to Traverse City after we ferry back from Mackinac Island at the end of the trip.
- Meals: All Breakfasts and most dinners and lunches are covered. We leave a few evenings and afternoons open for you to explore the variety of local restaurants. We strongly recommend a reservation for the restaurants you pick.
- Routes: Cars are not allowed on Mackinac Island. We will transfer your luggage to the hotel while you ride.
- E-Bike: A limited number of E-bikes are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Flexibility: Our trips are designed to allow you to experience it how YOU want. So, if you want some downtime or to do things on your own, our leaders will work to find you the best days to do it.
- Level of Riding: This is rated as an intermediate trip with relatively short rides and a decent amount of climbing. Riding distances vary. Currently, the longest distance you can ride is 53 miles in a single day, but once again, you can choose to opt for as little as you ride.
- Routing and Scheduling: Our itinerary can change on a certain day regarding restaurant time, road closures, and weather conditions. Our leaders are fully trained to offer alternate plans and solutions. We seek your cooperation and promise to deliver the best vacation experience regardless.
Guest Reviews
Beautiful scenery every day. Cute little towns to stop in and browse. The Tunnel of Trees and coffee break in the forest was one of the highlights. We loved how we were free and able to stop to do some side trips to find special beaches or shops along the water
- Renee B Thomas
The biking was uniformly excellent, the routes were fantastic!! We did a beach/dune hike and it was great to feel that “wildness” of the Lake Michigan shoreline. Meals at Perry Hotel in Petoskey, Legs Inn, and Grand Hotel Mackinac were all wonderful. Gorgeous lake vistas combined with arboreal splendor on excellent pavement, with a great coffee shops along the way.
- Andy Thomas
Loop ride along Mission Point was stunning, Harbor Springs & Tunnel of Trees route was exceptional, Mackinac Island was great….just wish we would of had more time there.
- Elaine Pena
DAY BY DAY
Michigan Bike Tour
Start your Michigan bike tour with a ride along the scenic 17-mile Leelanau Trail, part of the Traverse Area Recreation Transportation (TART) network of trails, offering picturesque views of Traverse Bay and Old Mission Point. We’ll stop in Suttons Bay for a delightful group lunch before continuing our ride to our final destination, The Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor. Upon arrival, we’ll be welcomed with a reception and enjoy a group dinner at Café Manitou, overlooking the magnificent Lake Michigan. The Homestead will serve as our home base until Wednesday morning, providing us with the luxurious amenities of an all-inclusive resort. You’ll have the chance to explore and indulge in the resort’s offerings throughout the week.
Sleeping Bear and Glen Arbor – Bike and Hike. This morning, after breakfast, we head out from The Homestead for a stunning loop ride through the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Lakeshore, voted the Most Beautiful Place in America by USA Today. We’ll ride along the aquamarine waters of Glen Lake and then down to Empire, where we’ll hop on the Leelanau Heritage Trail and onto the 7.8-mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. Your leaders will treat you to a beautiful lunch on Picnic Mountain, and then you can do a leisurely hike through the dunes on the Cottonwood Trail. Stop at the Dune overlook, where you will get a world-class vista of Lake Michigan from an observation deck at the top of a 450-foot dune. For those who want a different hike option, you can join one of your leaders for a strenuous hike up the dune climb and then about 4 miles through the dunes, reuniting with your bikes in Glen Haven. Glen Haven, the small village on the Lake Michigan shoreline, is a step back when small towns and docks supplied fuel to steamers along the Great Lakes. On the final stretch home, visit Glen Arbor and shop before returning to The Homestead. Dinner is on your own at one of the fine establishments at The Homestead.
Bike, Paddle, or Relax! Today is a day of options. Join your leaders for a bucket list loop ride on Old Mission Point, taking in lakeshore views, orchards, vineyards, and the Old Mission Point Lighthouse located directly on the 45th parallel – halfway between the equator and the North Pole. For those looking for a day on the water, enjoy a kayak paddle down the Crystal River with the local Crystal River Outfitters, followed by lunch on your own in Glen Arbor. Or you can spend the day enjoying The Homestead; treat yourself to a massage at the spa, rent a paddleboard and go out on Lake Michigan, sit on the beach and read a book, or make your adventure. We’ll all convene for a lovely group dinner at Nonna’s Ristorante.
Off to Petosky! We start the day with one last breakfast at The Homestead, then board the van for a shuttle to Boyne City. Our morning ride will take us 19 miles from the outdoor enthusiast center of Boyne City through rolling hills, farms, and wooded roads to the charming town of Charlevoix, nestled between Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix. Enjoy lunch on your own in Charlevoix – pick your favorite or try some Pierogi at Marek’s Harbor Grill or The Back Lot Charlevoix. Explore the town and enjoy a walk out on the South Pier to see the Lighthouse. Shop from a collection of boutiques for clothing, jewelry, or local art galleries. The afternoon consists of a mellow 17.5-mile ride on the Little Traverse Wheelway from Charlevoix to the Stafford’s Perry Hotel in Petoskey. Enjoy a group dinner at the Noggin Room Pub located in the hotel.
Tunnel of Trees and Lake Michigan Shoreline. Today offers the longest and most spectacular ride option as we head north. We’ll hop on the Wheelway for a few miles as we leave Petoskey behind, pass through Harbor Springs, and onto the 20-mile historic Tunnel of Trees route. In all its glory, Lake Michigan will peek through the trees as we wind north and see summer cottages of all shapes, sizes, and vintage. We’ll pause for lunch in Cross Village at the historic Legs Inn – so named for the woodstove legs that adorn the roofline – and then continue into Mackinaw City on a mixture of quiet roads and bike paths. A quick ferry ride will take us to carless Mackinac Island, where bikes and horses are the only means of transportation. We stay at the stunning and historic Grand Hotel on the island tonight. Enjoy the pampering and join us for a farewell dinner at one of the hotel’s iconic restaurants.
On our final day, we’ll enjoy breakfast at the Grand Hotel and board a horse-drawn carriage for a historical tour of Mackinac Island. Following the tour, you can take your bike on a final ride on the 8.2-mile loop around the island or spend your last hours shopping in the downtown area. A short ferry ride back to Mackinaw City will reunite us with the Sojourn van, and we’ll shuttle 2.5 hours back to Traverse City, where we can drop you at the Cherry Capital Airport.